You use your hands for everything from everyday responsibilities to your favorite hobbies. When you begin experiencing hand and wrist pain, you may think that simple wrist stretches can alleviate your discomfort. However, there is a chance that this won’t be sufficient to deliver the relief you’ve been looking for, and you may deal with chronic hand problems. 

The last thing you’re thinking about when dealing with hand pain is your neck, but its alignment may be causing quite a bit of your discomfort. But how are your wrist and hand connected, and what can be done to address the root of the problem? In many cases, an expert chiropractor can deliver the relief you deserve.

In this blog, we’ll explore the connection between neck alignment and hand pain, and how your chiropractor can help you alleviate chronic carpal tunnel syndrome. 

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Can You Reverse It Naturally? 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel in your wrist is compressed. Individuals with the condition often experience numbness, tingling, and weakness in their hand and wrist. While there isn’t one exact cause of the condition, there are a few common risk factors and associated conditions, including: 

• Anatomy: Individuals with a smaller carpal tunnel may be more susceptible to compression of the nerves. 
• Repeat Motion: Repetitive hand and wrist movements like typing and using vibrating tools can irritate your tendons and swell the carpal tunnel. 
• Health Conditions: Some conditions, like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism, obesity, and fluid retention can increase pressure on the tunnel. 
• Pregnancy: Hormone changes and fluid buildup during pregnancy can add strain on the tunnel, leading to frequent hand pain, tingling, and numbness. 

The condition can be healed naturally. However, it must be caught in its earliest stages to deliver lasting relief. As soon as symptoms emerge, consider wearing a wrist splint, performing nerve and tendon glides, and icing 15 minutes at a time to calm any inflammation, and make ergonomic adjustments to protect yourself. 

How is Your Hand Pain Related to Neck Alignment? 

So, how is your chronic carpal tunnel syndrome and resulting hand pain related to your neck alignment? Your hand pain is often linked to your neck through a condition called Double Crush Syndrome. This occurs when a nerve is compressed at multiple points along its path, like in the neck and at the wrist or elbow. 

When your nerves are pinched as they exit your spinal column, they become hypersensitive. This hypersensitivity makes you more vulnerable to secondary pressure further down your arm. This can exacerbate the pain, numbness, and tingling you experience as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, leading to more significant discomfort. 

If your hand pain is the result of Double Crush Syndrome, it is unlikely that simply treating your wrist pain will yield positive results. The pain will continue to radiate from your neck through your arm, where it results in chronic pain in your hand or wrist. That’s why it’s important to treat your neck and wrist pain together. 

How a Chiropractor Can Treat Double Crush Syndrome

While you may want to treat your carpal tunnel naturally at home, individuals who are experiencing neck and hand pain as a result of Double Crush Syndrome may need more hands on support. That’s where a trusted chiropractor comes in. If you can’t find relief on your own, they can help you alleviate your discomfort. 

They will treat this discomfort by combining several techniques, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and postural retraining.

• Spinal Adjustments: The spine is realigned to decompress the nerve root exiting the spinal cord, eliminating the first point of pain. 
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Deep tissue massage and myofascial release releases tight muscles and fascia that squeeze along the nerve pathway. 
• Postural Retraining: Your chiropractor will help address posture problems and offer ergonomic advice to prevent repeat injuries. 

Signs Your Neck May Be Contributing to Your Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

If you are struggling to find relief from your carpal tunnel syndrome on your own, you may believe you are experiencing Double Crush Syndrome. But how can you be certain that your wrist and hand pain is a result of this connection? If you are experiencing any of the following in addition to your carpal tunnel syndrome, this may point to potential Double Crush Syndrome: 

• Pain that isn’t limited to the hand and wrist, and instead radiates down the arm.
• Tingling and pain that worsens when you bend, turn, or tilt your head. 
• Numbness and pain that reaches the ring and pinky finger.
• Tricep and bicep weakness that affects your grip and fine motor skills. 
• An increase in neck stiffness, tenderness, and cervical muscle spasms. 

When to See a Chiropractor for Persistent Hand and Wrist Pain 

Although you may believe your wrist and hand pain is related to Double Crush Syndrome, you may be on the fence about visiting the chiropractor. While it may be okay to put off care for a day or two, it is important that you seek professional care if your pain persists for more than a few days, disrupts your sleep, or is accompanied by weakness, tingling, and numbness. 

Choosing to put off professional care can allow your symptoms to become much worse, compromising your comfort and increasing your risk of developing chronic pain. While it can be tempting to ride out your pain, it is always in your best interest to reach out to a trusted chiropractor if you can’t find relief on your own. 

Turn to Muscle & Joint Chiropractic For Support Today

Dealing with chronic neck, wrist, and hand pain can make it difficult to perform everyday responsibilities. However, with the support of our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic, you can find the lasting relief you deserve. We understand firsthand just how important it is to alleviate pain as soon as it emerges. But more so, we want you to find a relief option that prevents you from dealing with recurring problems. When you partner with our team, we will craft a custom treatment plan to help address the immediate problem and reduce your risk of repeat injuries.

If you’ve been dealing with hand pain and believe you may be experiencing Double Crush Syndrome, contact us today to schedule an appointment. 

When you think about car accident injuries, you probably think about getting whiplash or developing a bruise from your seatbelt. However, there are a long list of additional injuries you can experience. One injury that doesn’t get much attention but is common, especially among front seat passengers, is dashboard knee. 

This injury can lead to major discomfort when walking, and when coupled with other car accident injuries, can leave you feeling worse than you anticipate. Thankfully, with the support of a reliable chiropractic team, you can quickly address any joint and leg pain you may be experiencing and restore your comfort during the day.

In this blog, we’ll explore what dashboard knee is, common symptoms of this injury after an accident, and how a chiropractor can help. 

What Is Dashboard Knee and Why Does It Happen?

Dashboard knee is an injury that occurs when the occupant of a vehicle hits their knees on the dashboard during a frontal collision. This may occur after rear ending a vehicle in front of you or following a head-on collision. The impact with your dashboard drives your shinbone backward, potentially straining or tearing the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) or fracturing the kneecap. 

The PCL is a thick, strong ligament that prevents your shinbone from sliding too far back in relation to your thigh bone. During a front-end crash, the impact can cause the knee to flex and strike the dashboard, resulting in the partial tear or rupture of the PCL. Because of the intense force, this injury often includes other traumas, including:

• Patellar Fractures
• Meniscus Tears
• Other Ligament Damage (ACL, MCL, or LCL)

While dashboard knee will require immediate attention from your orthopedic specialist, you will also need appropriate rehabilitation following their treatment. 

Common Symptoms of Knee, Hip, and Leg Injuries After a Car Accident

There are a variety of symptoms you may experience that point to a potential knee, hip, or leg injury. The most common symptoms immediately following your accident will include localized pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness. In some cases, you may experience some more significant and concerning symptoms, including:

• Numbness and tingling
• Instability when walking
• Difficulty bearing weight
• A popping or clicking sensation

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or you cannot manage pain, even with proper rest, icing, and elevation, it is essential that you reach out to your medical team for immediate support. They can identify any major problems, including potential dashboard knee, and help you create an appropriate treatment plan. 

How a Chiropractor Can Help Treat Joint Pain After a Vehicle Crash

While it is important to seek immediate attention from an orthopedic surgeon when dealing with dashboard knee, you will still need to go through appropriate rehabilitative care. While recovering from potential post-accident surgeries, you may want to reach out to a chiropractor about crafting an appropriate treatment plan. 

It isn’t uncommon to experience some joint pain following an injury like this. That’s where your chiropractor can begin helping you find relief. If you’re experiencing joint pain, your chiropractor may recommend a variety of treatment options, including: 

• Manual Adjustments: They will gently ease joints back into their proper place, reducing pressure on the surrounding nerves. 
• Chiropractic Massage: This chiropractic technique will increase blood flow to feed nutrients to recently damaged tissue. 
• Trigger Point Therapy: This can help to reduce inflammation and prevent scar tissue from forming in injured areas. 
• Rehabilitative Exercise: They’ll provide you with a list of exercises and stretches to perform at home to support your care. 

Why Early Evaluation Matters After a Front-End Collision

While chiropractic care following a car accident, especially a front-end collision, is important, it is even more crucial to seek prompt care. It is essential to prioritize any emergency care, but treatment for minor aches and pain can also make a major difference in your day-to-day life. As soon as emergency care is done, it’s time to reach out to your chiropractor.

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may not experience any discomfort. However, it isn’t uncommon to begin developing more significant pains in the days and weeks after an accident. This occurs as a result of adrenaline wearing off, revealing injuries you may not have noticed at first.

When you schedule a chiropractic appointment immediately after an accident, they can perform a comprehensive physical exam. During this exam, they can identify injuries that you may not have noticed immediately or that may inevitably lead to chronic pain. With this exam, you can begin treating these injuries immediately, preventing long-term discomfort.

Restoring Mobility and Comfort After a Dashboard Knee Injury

Following your immediate medical treatment for dashboard knee, you may notice changes in your mobility and potentially lingering discomfort when walking. There are a few things you should do to support the recovery of mobility and eliminate your pain. The first step is to allow yourself plenty of adequate rest. 

Elevate your injured leg and use an ice pack and compression wraps to reduce your risk of swelling. From there, it is best to reach out to your chiropractor for support. They can begin to craft your ideal treatment plan and provide you with appropriate exercises and stretches to aid in your recovery and alleviate pain. 

As you move through your treatment plan, it is important that you rebuild stability and strength. Make sure to perform strength training exercises and take walks every day to support the recovery of the impacted muscles and ligaments. With a little time and patience, you can trust that you’re taking adequate steps toward recovering from dashboard knee symptoms. 

Let Us Help You Recover From Dashboard Knee

Dealing with any injuries following a car accident can be incredibly uncomfortable, but with professional support, you can trust that you’re on the road to recovery. At Muscle & Joint Chiropractic, our team understands just how important it is to seek prompt, comprehensive care. Whether you’re dealing with dashboard knee, a concussion, whiplash, or chronic back pain, our team has the training and tools to help you find lasting relief. 

If you would like to work with a team who can help you restore pain-free walking following dashboard knee, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

When you think about seeking chiropractic care after an accident, you’re probably thinking about more significant accidents. You likely are imagining major rear-endings, T-bone collisions, and rollovers. While these people do benefit from chiropractic care, they aren’t the only people who can experience relief from this care.

In fact, even individuals who are in minor fender-benders may benefit from scheduling an appointment with their trusted chiropractor. Although you may initially walk away from a minor accident thinking that you got away without an injury, there may be some problems lurking beneath the surface waiting to emerge.

In this blog, we’ll explore why everyone, including individuals who are in minor fender-benders, should seek chiropractic care in the aftermath. 

Can You Really Be Injured in a Minor Fender-Bender?

Although you may consider minor fender-benders to be an injury-free event, this isn’t always the case. Even if you initially walk away from the accident feeling fine, it isn’t uncommon to experience injury symptoms in the hours or days following a smaller accident. Even if you are in a minor accident, the unexpected jolt is enough to put sudden force on your body. 

Whether you’re rear-ended, side-swiped, or in a single-car accident, any unexpected or unplanned movement can cause your body to move in a violent, sharp way that puts excessive strain on your muscles and tendons. While seat belts and other safety devices will limit movement in these moments, even small, sharp movements can cause personal injuries. 

Why Do Symptoms Often Appear Hours or Days After a Small Accident?

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, no matter how small it may be, you’ll experience a sudden spike in adrenaline. As a result of this adrenaline rush, you’ll experience a rush of endorphins and epinephrine, which can mask any initial injury symptoms. As the adrenaline and endorphins fade, the symptoms of your minor fender-bender injury may begin to emerge, leaving you feeling a little worn down.

While it can be frustrating to experience these delayed injury symptoms, it is important to remember that this is your body’s natural response to these kinds of situations. Your body will immediately respond to an accident with this fight-or-flight response, acting as a natural painkiller to allow you to respond to the immediate problem. 

However, as the adrenaline and endorphins fade, you may begin to notice increased stiffness and inflammation in your soft tissue, especially in your neck, shoulders, and back. In some cases, you may also notice increased dizziness, lightheadedness, and headaches, which can be a sign of a concussion or other brain injury. 

What Types of Injuries Are Common in Low-Speed Collisions?

It isn’t uncommon to experience some injuries more frequently following a minor fender-bender, including soft tissue strains, concussions, and whiplash. Much like with other car accident injuries, minor fender-benders can rapidly, unexpectedly strain your body. Some of the most common injuries that you may experience following a minor fender-bender include: 

• Whiplash: The most common car accident injury, even following smaller accidents, is whiplash, which occurs when the head jerks rapidly back and forth, straining the muscles and ligaments in your neck. 
• Concussion: In addition to injuring your neck as a result of the unexpected movement, individuals who are involved in a minor fender-bender may experience a concussion as a result of their brain rattling in their skull. 
• Seat Belt Syndrome: As your car suddenly decelerates and your body jerks into a locked seat belt, you may experience bruising and injuries to your chest and hips near the sight of the belt. 
• Soft Tissue Injury: In addition to experiencing muscle and ligament strain in your neck and around your seat belt, you may also experience soft tissue injuries in other parts of your body as they respond to the sudden movement. 
• Herniated Disc: Even during a minor fender-bender, the spinal discs between your vertebrae can suddenly compress, leaving you with pain, numbness, and increased sciatica symptoms. 

How Does Adrenaline Mask Pain After an Accident?

The role of adrenaline is to provide a sudden release of epinephrine and endorphins, which temporarily block pain receptors and raise your pain threshold. This allows for a fight-or-flight response, allowing your body to respond to the immediate threat in a situation. In the case of a minor fender-bender, you have an opportunity to address the aftermath of the accident.

Your body shuts down the pain pathways to the brain, instead focusing its attention on addressing the problem in front of you. Adrenaline will also heighten your alertness and quickness reaction. This initial hormone change can distract your brain from registering pain that you may have experienced as a result of your accident. 

This adrenaline rush typically lasts for a few hours following the accident. However, as your stress levels decrease, you will begin to experience increased muscle tightness, stiffness, and general discomfort in your ligaments and tendons. While it can be frustrating, this reaction is designed to keep you safe in situations of immediate danger.  

When Should You See a Chiropractor After a Minor Car Crash?

While some minor fender-bender injuries will go away on their own, you would still benefit from going to visit a chiropractor. It can be tempting to put off seeking medical care, especially if you don’t think you’re experiencing a major injury. However, this puts you at risk of developing much more significant, severe symptoms.

Even if you feel fine immediately following an accident, it is always in your best interest to reach out to a trusted chiropractor to schedule an appointment. They can perform a thorough physical examination following your accident, catching the smallest sign of problems before they begin presenting more significantly during your day-to-day life. 

With the support of a chiropractor following a minor fender-bender, you can begin a treatment plan to address these minor injuries immediately. They may also be able to provide you with lifestyle adjustments to make your recovery period easier. While it can seem premature, it is always in your best interest to reach out before problems begin occurring. 

Recover From a Minor Fender-Bender in Tooele, Utah

No matter what kind of car accident you were in, our team at Muscle & Joint Chiropractic is here to provide you with compassionate support. We understand firsthand how this discomfort can impact your day-to-day life which is why we are dedicated to crafting a custom recovery plan, unique to your pains and injuries. When you partner with our team for your car accident recovery, you can trust that you’re working with a reliable team who wants to relieve you of lasting pain. 

If you would like to schedule an appointment to treat a recent car accident injury, don’t hesitate to contact us today.